A day after writing a Washington Post op-ed that essentially rehashed his previous condemnations of President Donald Trump while reiterating that he will support the policies that he believes “are in the best interest of the country,” Utah Senator-elect Mitt Romney appeared on CNN’s The Lead to discuss the backlash over the article. And that included the bombs thrown by his own family.

Predictably, Trump fired back at Romney Wednesday as he questioned whether Romney would be another Jeff Flake and telling the former Republican presidential nominee that he should be a “TEAM player.” Meanwhile, Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel — formerly known as Ronna Romney McDaniel — took to Twitter to rebuke her uncle.

POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the MSM media and Democrats 24/7. For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realdonaldtrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive. https://t.co/ArhI7Bi7bo

“POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the MSM media and Democrats 24/7,” she wrote. “For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realdonaldtrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive.”

During his multi-segment interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper this afternoon, Romney was asked if he were surprised that his family member publicly criticized him that way, noting that Romney had given her a heads up that the op-ed was coming out.

“No, she’s the chairwoman of the Republican Party,” Romney responded. “She has a responsibility. I respect her right to express that viewpoint.”

He continued, “It’s probably more — if you will, civil than it might have been across the — Thanksgiving dinner table. Because we, of course, have disagreements in our family. But she’s a very loyal Republican. Loyal to the president. And she’s doing what she thinks is best for him and for the party.”

Justin Baragona is the founder and publisher of Contemptor. He was previously the Cable News Correspondent for Mediaite and prior to starting Contemptor, he worked on the editorial staff of PoliticusUSA. During that time, he had his work quoted by USA Today and BBC News, among others. Justin began his published career as a political writer for 411Mania. He resides in St. Louis, MO with his wife and pets.